By the way, I only have the steam version, but does the retail boxed copy require steam as well?

Yes. Steam is used for copy protection and for updating. At minimum a computer with DoW2 installed must connect once to verify the CD key and to download the Day-Zero patch. Apparently the game can't be played without the day zero patch, even with the CD key verified. Players will also need to create a GfWL account -- although there appears to be some confusion on whether or not you can create an off-line account as you can with XBoxes, and I can't tell which information is correct.

Once you've had Steam verify once, and created a GfWL account you can play off-line from that point on. They'll probably want to change the games properties in Steam so that the default "Always keep this Game up to date" is changed so that it only updates manually.

Its only purpose was to fix the patch notes from the last patch. If you looked at the patch notes from the last patch, you may have noticed that most of it consisted of squares instead of characters. Someone must have messed up with the character encoding.

Quote

There was a fix released this evening to update the news tab in the game. The text had become garbled with yesterday’s update, but our update was a little big:

You may have noticed a patch for DOWII of approximately 130MB was just released via Steam. This patch was supposed to be 10MB and its only purpose was to update the news tab with yesterday’s patch notes (and erase the square font).

Unfortunately the patch also redownloaded some files that already existed resulting in the larger than expected patch size. This extra data will not harm DOWII in any way nor should have it introduced any additional bugs.

We regret the patch was so large for such a simple fix. We are taking additional precautions to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.

So far, this Games for Windows patching thing hasnt really improved on patching, has it?

Well the patching is a Steam thing not a GfWL thing. Using GfWL does increase the patch testing time for code patches (but not data patches). But my understanding is the GfWL testing is only to make sure that a game doesn't screw up the whole XBox Live network, and doesn't really test the game to make sure that stuff in the game makes sense (i.e., stuff like the popcap bug).

ah, my bad then - I was under the impression, that MS had to approve of all patches before they launched

No. Apparently if only the data files change, then they don't need to approve it. The only code patch released so far is the Day Zero Patch (and the mid-Beta patch).

The long code patch lead times is hurting things though. Relic has a code-based solution for the popcap bug, for example, but since it could take 7-10 days to get it approved, they're trying to come up with a data-based solution as a temporary fix which they can release immediately.

Alright this intrigues me. I'm not a huge RTS fan, I hate MP but occasionally enjoy the SP campaigns.

Does this do enough things differently then the average RTS to make it something I would enjoy? The RTS, and lack of Base Building/Micromanaging is what appeals to me.

Yes, this is very, very different from the average RTS. There are RPG-like special skills and inventory items to activate for each of your squads, but since hands-on tactical combat is the primary focus of the single player campaign, it feels less like "micromanaging" than it does regular "managing."

Quote from: El-Producto on February 25, 2009, 08:42:21 PM

If I buy the boxed copy, can I run it from Steam as if I had purchased it from them?

Yes. In fact, you *must* run it from Steam as if you had purchased it from them. The plus side is that it never needs to see the CD again, so unless you care about having a physical manual, you won't miss anything by buying it directly through Steam.

I like this game a lot....I was really starting to get overwhelmed with RTSes like C&C3 and Red Alert 3 because there was just so much to keep track of in game, but this really narrows the focus down to controlling a handful of units.

I really wish the campaign was a little more dynamic (ie there are consequences for failure). They should have implemented a branching campaign like in Wing Commander where failing too many missions would actually put you into the failing path.

I really wish the campaign was a little more dynamic (ie there are consequences for failure). They should have implemented a branching campaign like in Wing Commander where failing too many missions would actually put you into the failing path.

I've seen claims that if Tyranid infestation levels hit Max on all three planets you lose. No idea if this is true or not, but I've seen it posted out at either RelicNews or the official forums.

Part 1 of an Article about Eldar Tactics and the Commanders has been posted up at www.wargamer.com.

It is a really good article to read if you are thinking about the game and want to know more, or are just wanting to get some idea of how to best play the Eldar. Of course, I may be a little biased, as I did write the article...

Alright this intrigues me. I'm not a huge RTS fan, I hate MP but occasionally enjoy the SP campaigns.

Does this do enough things differently then the average RTS to make it something I would enjoy? The RTS, and lack of Base Building/Micromanaging is what appeals to me.

Yes, this is very, very different from the average RTS. There are RPG-like special skills and inventory items to activate for each of your squads, but since hands-on tactical combat is the primary focus of the single player campaign, it feels less like "micromanaging" than it does regular "managing."

Quote from: El-Producto on February 25, 2009, 08:42:21 PM

If I buy the boxed copy, can I run it from Steam as if I had purchased it from them?

Yes. In fact, you *must* run it from Steam as if you had purchased it from them. The plus side is that it never needs to see the CD again, so unless you care about having a physical manual, you won't miss anything by buying it directly through Steam.

-Autistic Angel

Except that the game is $49.99 US on Steam, which translates to approx. $62 Canadian. I can get the boxed copy for $49.99 Canadian, so I'll go that route.

Alright this intrigues me. I'm not a huge RTS fan, I hate MP but occasionally enjoy the SP campaigns.

Does this do enough things differently then the average RTS to make it something I would enjoy? The RTS, and lack of Base Building/Micromanaging is what appeals to me.

Yes, this is very, very different from the average RTS. There are RPG-like special skills and inventory items to activate for each of your squads, but since hands-on tactical combat is the primary focus of the single player campaign, it feels less like "micromanaging" than it does regular "managing."

Quote from: El-Producto on February 25, 2009, 08:42:21 PM

If I buy the boxed copy, can I run it from Steam as if I had purchased it from them?

Yes. In fact, you *must* run it from Steam as if you had purchased it from them. The plus side is that it never needs to see the CD again, so unless you care about having a physical manual, you won't miss anything by buying it directly through Steam.

-Autistic Angel

Except that the game is $49.99 US on Steam, which translates to approx. $62 Canadian. I can get the boxed copy for $49.99 Canadian, so I'll go that route.

That ticks me off when new games are launched, Best Buy or someone will have a sale week of release or the next week on the retail copy and then Gogamer will sell a $50 game for $35 2 weeks after it comes out but because of deals the publishers have in place with B&M retailers selling their boxed copies Steam isn't allowed to undercut them at launch.

I bought this today... I am *totally* not an RTS player, aside from the old Close Combat stuff and Total War... I like my stuff more tactical and realistic, I suppose...

Anyway, the RPGness, no base building and small number of persistent units in SP intrigued me, and I had a $25 card for gamestop and a night to myself, so I bought some beer and pulled the trigger. I've done 5 or 6 missions, and it's definitely more my speed... a bit repetitive, but pretty fun. I'm guessing there is more diversity when I get to some different planets?

I bought this today... I am *totally* not an RTS player, aside from the old Close Combat stuff and Total War... I like my stuff more tactical and realistic, I suppose...

Anyway, the RPGness, no base building and small number of persistent units in SP intrigued me, and I had a $25 card for gamestop and a night to myself, so I bought some beer and pulled the trigger. I've done 5 or 6 missions, and it's definitely more my speed... a bit repetitive, but pretty fun. I'm guessing there is more diversity when I get to some different planets?

Nah really my only gripe about the game is that it is pretty repetitive. The loot and leveling stuff is what is makes it interesting, but the missions are pretty much mostly MOTS. There are a few exceptions and they are pretty excellent.

Yep missions are fairly similar - fight your way up the map hit a boss character get some loot on the way at the end and then hit the experience. Alternatively you maybe defending an area and then lead to a counter offensive

That said I love it! I love the tactical nature of the game and don't mind having to go slowly up the map to achieve the objective. Quite clickly at times ensuring you hit the relevant skill at the right time (nades/healing etc) but interface is great.

MP I still haven't a clue about - tried it a couple of times but need to play much more.

loving the game so far, but suck at it - I almost never get the chance to get additional days, due to the fact that I love to play the game tactically, and not rush, and since "time" is a factor in you getting extra days....well, I've never gotten more than one star in that particular area.

Hopefully, I'll get the chance to kill Tals and Rotc1983 this weekend or sometime soon ;-)

I am very interested in getting this game but I'm not sure my computer could run it. My rig:

P4 3 ghz, 1 gig of RAM, ATI X1600 AGP card.

This looks to meet the minumum requirements but I'm hesitant to purchase. Company of Heroes gets a little choppy on bigger maps. Is anyone running the game on a similar system?

I have a similar system AMD 3200+, 2gb memory but an 8800GT card and it runs smooth. That said I think the gfx and memory is a biggie and not that expensive to achieve

I've become a console gamer for the most part. I'm not all that interested in upgrading my PC just for this game. I am probably going to pass until I eventually get a new machine. I've officially been off of the PC upgrade treadmill for a few years now. This is the first game that has tempted me in a while.

I am very interested in getting this game but I'm not sure my computer could run it. My rig:

P4 3 ghz, 1 gig of RAM, ATI X1600 AGP card.

This looks to meet the minumum requirements but I'm hesitant to purchase. Company of Heroes gets a little choppy on bigger maps. Is anyone running the game on a similar system?

I have a similar system AMD 3200+, 2gb memory but an 8800GT card and it runs smooth. That said I think the gfx and memory is a biggie and not that expensive to achieve

I've become a console gamer for the most part. I'm not all that interested in upgrading my PC just for this game. I am probably going to pass until I eventually get a new machine. I've officially been off of the PC upgrade treadmill for a few years now. This is the first game that has tempted me in a while.

I know where you are coming from - that said the price of the upgrade in respect of this I suspect won't be much more than the actual game - although the AGP possibly is a problem.

I never upgrade my whole pc - just chunks at a time, then again no console (if you exclude a wii ) in this household

Nah, it's not that he's powerful. It's just that he's not something that you're used to. Orks are one of the least played armies, and the Kommando is one of the least played commanders. After a while of fighting him, you learn how to deal with him like any other kommander. Keep scout units around or detectors, don't bunch or blob up, and don't leave suppression weapons on their own.

Nah, it's not that he's powerful. It's just that he's not something that you're used to. Orks are one of the least played armies, and the Kommando is one of the least played commanders. After a while of fighting him, you learn how to deal with him like any other kommander. Keep scout units around or detectors, don't bunch or blob up, and don't leave suppression weapons on their own.

Well, the better explanation is to say that he's not amazingly powerful. His strength is his ability to stay hidden, then unleash a torrent of disruptive and deadly abilities just as his army comes in behind him. His abilities cost a lot of energy, which he also uses to infiltrate.

Find a way to detect him before he gets in position inside your army and he gets taken out pretty quickly. Best way to know when the Kommando is around is if your scouts see an Ork army massing just out of view. That's when you know the Kommando should be approaching your lines to cause disruption before he sends his army in.

Some folks at Qt3 have been talking about getting some friendly 3v3 custom games going. I think the idea is we'll get at least six people and then play a bunch of games against each other mixing up the teams and races in order to keep everything balanced and interesting. Anyone interested? This might be a particularly good opportunity for newbies to play in a friendly unranked environment.

Unfortunately we talked about it earlier this week and didn't set a date/time. I've got one other Qt3 guy lined up for 7pm Pacific Time tonight and am waiting to hear from others. I'm also free tomorrow or Sunday probably 3pm Pacific or later.